Joe Marler out of Australia match following positive Covid-19 test
Joe Marler will miss England’s next autumn international against Australia on Saturday after testing positive for Covid-19.
The prop, who plays for defending premiership champions Harlequins, tested positive in both his lateral flow and PCR tests.
In a statement, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) said: “Joe Marler has tested positive for Covid and will be unavailable for selection for England for this weekend’s Test match against Australia.
“After returning a positive lateral flow test on Monday evening, he immediately went into isolation.
“A subsequent PCR test on Monday evening confirmed the result on Tuesday morning. He will now isolate for ten days, as per government guidelines.
“All of the England players and staff have undergone additional lateral flow testing – all of which returned negative results.”
Last week, captain Owen Farrell tested positive for Covid prior to England’s test against Tonga. His test was later deemed a false positive.
England beat Tonga 69-3 in their opening autumn international match.
They next face Australia this Saturday before playing South Africa next weekend.
For the first time since the 2020 Six Nations, capacity crowds have been able to watch international rugby at Twickenham, London.
England coach on distractions
News of the positive test comes days after head coach Eddie Jones warned England’s new star Marcus Smith over “distractions”.
Smith starred in England’s win, despite coming off the bench having not trained with the squad for much of the week prior to the game.
“The big thing for young players is distractions,” said Jones.
“There’s a reason why the girl who won the US Open [Emma Raducanu] hasn’t done so well afterwards. What have you seen her on? The front page of Vogue, the front page of Harper’s Bazaar, whatever it is, wearing Christian Dior clothes.”
Jones faced criticism following his comments. Raducanu has played just four matches since her triumph at the US Open.